Fulfill My Joy

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I. Therefore – . . .

A. The “therefore” refers back to the “citizenship” responsibility (1:27-30).

1. Since we are to “stand fast in one spirit.”

2. Since we are to have “one mind”

3. Since we are to “strive together for the faith of the gospel.”

4. Since we must not be terrified by our “adversaries”

5. Since we must appreciate the “favour” of “suffering on behalf of Christ”

B. Therefore – IF there is any . . .

1. Consolation in Christ

a. Word means simply - “calling for help”

b. 2 Corinthians 1:5-7 -- For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation…or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

2. Comfort of love

a. Single use: “telling a story while alongside”

b. Parallel term: 1 Thessalonians 2:11 -- As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children

3. Fellowship of the Spirit

a. The “fellowship” is not “fun or friendship” – it is spirit-led relationships.

b. 1 John 1:3-7 -- That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ….If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

4. Bowels and Mercies

a. “Deep feelings of concern and pity”

b. Colossians 3:12-13 – “…put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another…”

1. The phrase is: “the same understanding” (to be intellectually convinced of the same matters).

a. Philippians 3:16 -- Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

b. 1 Corinthians 14:20 -- Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

c. Romans 15:5-6 -- Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2. The same understanding means that we love the same things.

a. Love our Brothers and Sisters in Christ – 1 John 4:7-8 -- Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

b. Love the “Truth” – 3 John 1:4 -- I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

3. The same understanding means that we are of one accord.

a. The phrase is: “joined in soul”

b. This is another emphasis about the “citizenship” requirement of Philippians 1:27.

c. “Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: …stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel”

4. The same understanding means that we have one mind.

a. The phrase stresses quality not sameness

b. We are to be like this: Romans 15:6 -- That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

c. We are not to be like this: Revelation 17:13 -- These have one mind, and shall give their power and strength unto the beast.

1. None of the “citizenship” activities or qualities are to be achieved through improper behaviour.

2. “Strife” = selfish ambition; electioneering for office.

a. Philippians 1:16 -- The one preach Christ of contention not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:

b. James 3:16 -- For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

3. “Vainglory” = conceit; groundless self-esteem.

a. Galatians 5:26 -- Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

b. Romans 12:3 -- For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

c. James 4:5-6 -- Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

III. Rather than just being sure that we are OK, we are to “look out for” others (Philippians 2:3-4)

A. Our own mind should be in “lowliness”

1. The term means: humility, modesty; sense of our own “littleness”

2. 1 Peter 5:5 – “…all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”

3. Ephesians 4:1-2 – “…walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

4. Colossians 3:12 – “…Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind…”

5. Acts 20:19 - Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: and how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,

B. Our “esteem” should be directed toward others.

1. The term means: to go before; to make a leader.

2. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 -- And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

3. Romans 12:10 -- Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

4. Hebrews 11:24-26 -- By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he hadrespect unto the recompence of the reward.

C. Our “looking” should not be for ourselves first, but toward others.

1. The term means: consider, to observe, to contemplate

2. 2 Corinthians 4:18 -- While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

3. Philippians 3:17 -- Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

1 Thessalonians 1-8 -- For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain: But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

Colossians 3:12-17 -- Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.